A Tropical Summer Picnic Treat

(Family Features) Summer picnics are the perfect opportunity for a getaway in your own backyard, filled with a bounty of food, laughter and fun. There’s no better way to cap off one of these memorable “staycation” meals than with a fruity, island-inspired dessert.

Create this summer’s tropical picnic to remember with these tips:

Transform your backyard into a beachside cabana. From grass table skirts to brightly colored beach balls to flaming tiki torches, the options are nearly endless for establishing an island ambiance.

Set the mood with music. Steel drums and lively rhythms are the perfect backdrop to a festive beach-style party.

Greet guests with leis and umbrella-capped beverages. These simple touches go a long way to enhance the festive spirit.

Whether guests include kids, or simply the young at heart, add some interactive beach-inspired activities, such as a volleyball net or sandbox for building sand castles.

Serve up your own island-inspired recipes, such as a Pineapple Coconut Cake. Made with DOLE Canned Pineapple, this recipe will help you capture that tempting tropical taste for your next picnic. DOLE Canned Pineapple is naturally fat free and cholesterol free, very low in sodium and rich in Vitamin C. Plus, it comes in many forms, including slices, chunks, tidbits and crushed.

Canned fruit is also well-suited for other desserts such as fruit salads, baked muffins and breads or even as a dessert topping. It’s also a perfect ingredient for mixing into cottage cheese or blending into fruit smoothies.

For more delicious dessert ideas featuring canned fruit, including this tropical twist on an iced layer cake, visit www.dole.com.